At least, every three years the Wyoming Game and Fish Department makes changes to the state’s fishing regulations and asks the public to give input on what should be changed or updated. That process has started again.
“If you have thoughts on how to improve Wyoming’s fishing regulations please comment now online or plan to attend one of our meetings across the state,” said Dave Zafft, fisheries management coordinator.
A draft proposal is available online and Zafft says that draft already incorporates ideas Game and Fish has been hearing about over the last few years. Here are some of the key proposed changes Zafft says the public should look at and comment on if they agree or disagree:
- A proposal to to increase the creel and possession limits for lake trout on Flaming Gorge and some significant changes to the Flaming Gorge reciprocity stamp regulation.
- A proposal to change the regulation pertaining to where you can possess (including take home) wild caught minnows from the Belle Fourche River drainage.
- A proposal to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by changing baitfish regulations in southeast Wyoming (Area 5). Bait dealers, baitfish seiners and trappers, and anglers in these areas that use live baitfish should attend a public meeting or visit our website for details.
- A proposal to change the regional stream regulation for Areas 1, 2, 4 and 5. The change eliminates a bunch of regional exceptions to the statewide regulation, thereby adopting the statewide regulation for trout. The statewide regulation differs only in that it doesn't include a one cutthroat greater than 12 inch restriction.
Public meetings on these regulation changes and others, including on aquatic invasive species and watercraft, will occur at the following times and locations:
| April 26 | 6 p.m. | Cody | Big Horn Federal |
| April 30 | 6 p.m. | Pinedale | Game and Fish Office |
| April 30 | 6 p.m. | Sheridan | Game and Fish Office |
| May 1 | 6 p.m. | Torrington | Fire Station No. 1 |
| May 2 | 6 p.m. | Laramie | Game and Fish Office |
| May 3 | 7 p.m. | Wheatland | Public Library |
| May 9 | 6 p.m. | Casper | Game and Fish Office |
| May 10 | 6 p.m. | Dubois | Headwaters Arts & Conference Center |
| May 14 | 6 p.m. | Jackson | Game and Fish Office |
| May 15 | 6 p.m. | Douglas | County Courthouse |
| May 22 | 6 p.m. | Evanston | BEAR Center Pavilion |
| May 23 | 6 p.m. | Kemmerer | South Lincoln Events Center |
| May 24 | 6 p.m. | Green River | Game and Fish Office |
Written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. June 4 at public meetings, by mailing: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Regulations, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604 or online at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Public-Meetings/. Copies of the proposed regulations are available on the Game and Fish website and at the address above.
Written comments will be presented to the Game and Fish Commission prior to the public hearing at their July 10-11 meeting in Laramie at the Game and Fish Office.
The Game and Fish Department supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations by contacting the nearest Game and Fish office.
